1808

1808: The Spaniards on Funen

20 February

In keeping with a commitment made to Napoleon, Denmark declares war against Sweden.

March

A French-Spanish auxiliary corps under Marshal Jean Jules Bernadotte arrives on Funen. (In 1810, Bernadotte was chosen as Swedish successor to the throne and actually had control of Sweden from this time. He was then crowned in 1818 under the name of Carl XIV Johan). The intention is that the auxiliary corps later be transferred to Zealand in order to effect a landing in Skåne, Sweden.

Tales which HCA heard as a child about the Spaniards on Funen have later provided him with inspiration for dramas (Spanierne i Odense -The Spaniards in Odense-1833/36 and Da Spanierne var her -When The Spaniards Were Here- 1865). Local traditions, life on the streets and playing with puppet theatre were all influential factors in the development of HCA's imagination at an early stage.